Moffat Mungazi
Tinofara Chiwanza
Post Reporter
LANDS, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, has urged farmers to deliver grain to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to bolster food security.
Minister Masuka emphasised Government’s pivotal role in ensuring national food security, citing efforts to subsidise and distribute grain, which has increased accessibility for farmers and households.
Speaking during a recent meeting in Mutare, Minister Masuka underscored Government’s economic development initiatives, including rural industrialisation and development programmes.
He stressed the importance of acknowledging the leadership behind these provisions, which aim to ensure that no-one starves. As the nation recovers from the economic and climate-related challenges, Minister Masuka emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation in supporting Government efforts to sustain food production.
The call for gratitude and contribution to national reserves serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility in maintaining food security and achieving a self-sustaining agriculture.
This comes as the nation recovers from global economic challenges and climate-related agricultural disruptions.
“President Mnangagwa has tirelessly worked to ensure that our people have access to sufficient grain. As beneficiaries of this initiative, we must not take it for granted, but rather show gratitude for the support we continue to receive,” he said.
Minister Masuka said farmers must contribute to GMB to strengthen national reserves and sustain the national food supply. GMB plays a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, with 89 depots across the country, holding a total storage capacity of 4 450 940 metric tonnes.
This call to action is part of Government’s efforts to boost agricultural production and ensure food security through programmes like mechanisation support, Presidential Inputs Programme, and extension services.
Government has been implementing these various agricultural programmes to boost production and ensuring food security.
These programmes have been credited with improving yields and increasing overall grain availability.
“As we receive, let us also give back by providing grain to GMB. This will, not only sustain the national food supply, but also contribute to the economic stability of our agricultural sector. The average a person should at least contribute is 10kgs, then 15kgs headman and lastly the chiefs will offer 20kgs. Everyone must show gratitude to the President for inputs that he has availed and give out in a difficult year. This is leadership par excellence,” said Minister Masuka.
Farmers and beneficiaries of the grain support programme expressed appreciation, acknowledging the relief it brought to their livelihoods.
“We are grateful for this initiative as it has helped us through difficult times. The grain we receive enabled us to focus on farming without worrying about food shortages,” said Mr Admire Jongwe, of Mutare.
Online Reporter